a40bill

Hi. We would love to sell our house and every thing else here in the UK, and live in Goa, so my question is, does anyone know any one who has, or if you are reading this, just how easy/hard is it to do.

How much money would you need to live in Goa per year.

Any help or tips would be great.

Bill.

cupranod

Hi Bill,I've just got back after a spell out there.Indian bureaucracy is notorious,the visa rules are reasonably straightforward though but have a few rules attached to them which can be a pain.Contact the Indian embassy for more details.
Many Brits live out there part of the year,the reason being that the monsoon season,June-end of Sept(ish) isn't a lot of fun.Also it is oppressively hot in April and pretty humid.
Business visas can be acquired but mean you having to return to the UK after 6 or 12 months to re-apply(or something like that!!) but it is the most common way of getting there.Most people do B & B's,bars etc.
I reckon that you could live well on £350-£450 per month including rent on a 2 bed house/apartment,food and Kingfisher lager!!
As you know the people are great and the attitude very laid back,I can see me there 5 months of each year in the near future.
Head to South Goa,that's where the development is happening.I didn't mind the North (Baga,Candolim etc.) but find it is becoming too commercialised.Kerala is the next boom area in my opinion.
Hope the above is helpful.

a40bill

Hi cupranod. Agree on the Kingfisher, we go to a Goan Restaurant in town now and again and a Kingfisher in there is £4.50 (Small Bottle) Will contact Indian Embassy for full details. We are going to south Goa this christmas for a change as Baga and Calengute get a bit manic. Thanks for you interest.

Bill.

cupranod

Cavellossim in the South is ok,becoming commercialised though and loads of beach sellers/shops/hawkers which can become wearing even for someone who is used to it.The local Police do clamp down now and again but are open to a few rupees here and there to ease the path of the traders.
Mobor beach is about 12-15 miles long and pretty quiet,there are about half a dozen beach shacks there in season.I can recommend Edwin's(he has a good restaurant and shack) and there are a few large resort type hotels there and loads of Russians!!
The art of haggling for those of us that have been going out there for years is becoming harder,mainly because Brits are willing to pay what they see as a bargain price without haggling,even though the price is expensive in Indian terms.The traders (well some of them) know they can ask high prices and will try to rip you off,I always only pay a quarter or less of their original starting price.
I certainly prefer the South to the North.

bucklt

Easiest way to discover if a certain country is the 'right' one for you is to visit it as often as possible and chat with those who have aleardy moved there.
Am doing that at present with 3 countries: Thailand (Chiang Mai), Goa and Bali.
A daunting task - if ever there was one. May eventually live in all 3 - over a period of the next 15-20 years.
I also find it easier if you don't look upon your next move as the 'final' one. Just approach it from the point-of-view that you will spend 3-5 years there and then review the situation again.
Good Luck,
Tony

calina666

Did you really pay £4.50 for a small bottle of beer? When you go off to Colva, are you going to take any of your home furnishings etc? And if so - have you found someone to do it?

I have contacted these people.

www.binoray.co.uk

static1635

I lived there for a year in total in 94 to 96 six months each time, but I was on a bit of a spend up then and got through £3000 in total.

I am thinking of going back as 7k in my ISA is burning a hole in my pocket

This time I will buy an Enfield motorbike for £350 ish, cook more for myself, and try to get cheaper rooms.

If I try some sort of business aswell I rekon I could stay there for about 5 years (bar having to leave the country to re-new my visa every six months)

HIV is a worry for tooth problems etc.

Also after 2 years non-stop (without leaving the country) you have to have a HIV test at the hospital... the best way to get HIV I think!

Justin

p.s. I prefer North Goa

a40bill

Hi calina666. and all on this thread.

OK I know i am a bit late in replying, yes it is about £4.50 for a small Kingfisher. We went to Goa again over christmas and new year. We hired a scooter and had a good look around, we looked at quite a few apartments in resorts but not too keen on them, we also looked at the Acron Company's ddevelopments in Anjuna, and Siolim but think they are a bit expensive, so we found a small building company who are just finishing a block of 6. 2 bed apartments about 20 mins from Candolim on the Panjim road. They are building a second phase, starting this year. We spoke to the company, and visited the site quite a few times, and we have put our name on one of the apartments. So we will do all the work involved now, and hopefully move to Goa by Feb/March next year. Will keep you posted. If any one has any tips or help, please let me know.

Bill.

calina666

Hi Bill

Did you have a good time? Christmas was quieter in Goa this year,but New Year at the steps in Calangute was very busy, more people than last year. I didn't want to come home. But not long now - with a bit of luck.

Calina

a40bill

Hi Callina.

Yes we had a great time, pity about the hotel though, Donna Alcina. Not very good. Still if all works out, won't need hotels any more, and we lost a whole day as Monarch worked their magic again in Bahrain, a bit fell of the plane, so we finished in the Hilton for the day. We spent New Years eve on Candolim Beach, fantastic.

Bill.

calina666

What was wrong with the Dona Alcina? My friend was going to book it for this year. You got a charter flight did you? Charter - a fate almost worse than death!!!

a40bill

Hi Calina.

The Donna Alcina is, i have to say a bit "basic" Staff are fine, the food is good, but the place could do with a revamp though. Its a bit scruffy. It was funny the hand basin that was not conected to the water, had a plug, but the hand basin that was connected to the water supply, didn't.

Charter Flights. Do you know of any better way of going, if you do, please for gods sake let me know. I have heard Monarch are going to put hanging straps in the isles and toilets, so they can get more people on board.

Se Ya.

Bill.

calina666

We always do a schedule flight, I know it's alot of hanging around, but it makes me a better person!!! Glad you told me about the Dona Alcina, but I've probably seen worse.

Speak to you later. thursday is my curry night, so slogging over the stove/

Libby Fox

We have always used Scheduled flights and have no problems. Not sure which Direct Flights go to Goa as we usually fly to Mumbai first, (to see relatives) the travel down to Goa.
The other advantage of Schedule flights is the possibility of an upgrade! We have had this a few times and travelling Business Class makes all the difference!!

Libby & John

LarryDavid

Interesting to see there's Brits looking to move to Goa - My sister's just bought a house there as an investment. Wasn't cheap but she loves it and quite a few on the development were bought by Indians which is always a good sign.

This was where she bought http://www.worldwideinvestments.co.u..._sinquerim.htm

Might go out there for a holiday and see what the place is like